Kate launches project to boost nation's social skills

The Princess of Wales has taken another step back into public life after she launched a new initiative aimed at developing the nation’s “social and emotional skills”.

- ATHENA STAVROU

Upon the launch of the project, Kate said the state of modern life was leaving many feeling “isolated and vulnerable” during troubled periods, resulting in devastating “poor mental health, addiction and abuse”.

The future Queen said the solution is to “develop and nurture” the social and emotional skills we all possess from the moment we are born which are the “bedrock of any healthy, happy society”. Kate’s Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood published the Shaping Us framework, aimed at increasing awareness of these soft or life skills to inspire action across society.

“Modern society is complex,” Kate said in her foreword for a report outlining the framework. “At times, it can feel like the world is filled with mistrust and misunderstanding, leaving many people feeling isolated and vulnerable during difficult times.

“The impact of this, poor mental health, addiction and abuse, can be devastating, for individuals and for society. If we are to address this properly, if we are to find real, lasting solutions to these deep-rooted challenges and create a physically and mentally healthier society, we must reset, restore, and rebalance. We must invest in humankind.”